Local police on Tuesday said a Chinese businesswoman was shot dead Monday night in Zamboanga City of the southern Philippines, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Cebu has confirmed the case to Xinhua.

Local police said the shooting took place around 7:50 pm on Monday night when the victim, surnamed Shi and in her 50s, has just left the building of the apartment she rented.

After the shooting, two people rode off on a motorcycle. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Police said their preliminary investigation shows the attack was an attempted robbery. Police said the investigation will continue.